Professor Louise Heathwaite PhD FRSB FRSE

Past Member

Ex-Officio Member

Professor Louise Heathwaite was appointed Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs and Environment (CSA RAE) in September 2012.

She is also Professor of Land and Water Science and Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainable Water Management in the Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University. Louise has over 25 years research experience in diffuse nutrient pollution, wetland hydrochemistry, and water quality, and has published over 150 papers in international journals. Her applied research interests cut across the environmental sciences to interface with social science and economics.

The CSA RAE works with the CSA for Scotland and the Chief Scientist, Health as part of the senior science team to champion and promote the use of science within policy making. Her other roles include:

Quality assurance and independent challenge on use of science within the Rural Affairs and Environment portfolio

Strategic engagement with UK and International scientific activity in Environment and Rural Affairs science ensuring the Scottish perspective is promoted

Understanding of rural and environment science activity and capability across Scotland

acting as Head of Profession for the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) science Advisors.

Louise is a member of NERC Council and the Defra Science Advisory Council. She is also on the Steering Board of the UK Collaborative on Development Science (UKCDS) and the expert panel for the UK National Ecosystem Assessment.